Jonas Åkerlund to Direct Film Adaptation of 'Lords of Chaos'

Swedish filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund is going to be bringing the fiery, blood-soaked true life stories of Norway's early black metal bands to the big screen in an upcoming adaptation of the scene-chronicling book, Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground.

Variety reports that Åkerlund has signed on to helm an English-language film version of Lords of Chaos for Ridley Scott's Scott Free London, RSA London and Vice.

The movie will follow the life of Euronymous (a.k.a. Øystein Aarseth), the founding member of Mayhem who was murdered in 1993 by Burzum's Kristian "Varg" Vikernes. The film is expected to hit on the start of Norway's black metal scene, tracing the rise of Mayhem while also touching upon church arsons tied to members of the metal community and the violent death of Euronymous.

While it's unclear at present who they'll play, Rory Culkin (Scream 4) and Caleb Landry Jones (X-Men: First Class) will take the leading roles. It's likewise unclear how involved book authors Michael Moynihan and Didrik Søderlind are with the adaptation, but Dennis Magnusson is confirmed as a co-writer for the screenplay.

While Åkerlund made a name for himself as a music video director, working with the likes of Madonna, Beyoncé, Robbie Williams, Coldplay and Lady Gaga, the director also had a hand in developing the black metal genre. He is the founding member of Swedish genre forbearers Bathory and played drums with the troupe from 1983 to 1984.